Product description
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After viewing "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs", Edgar
Rice Burroughs wrote to Walt Disney about adapting his novel of
an ape-man into a feature animated cartoon. Sixtysome years
later, the tale is finally told with brilliant design work that
looks unlike any previous animated film. The story is a natural
for Disney since the themes of misunderstood central figures have
been at the heart of its recent hits. Disney's "Tarzan" doesn't
wander far from the familiar story of a shipwrecked baby who is
brought up by apes in Africa. What gives the film its zing is its
clever use of music (the songs are sung by Phil Collins himself
rather than onscreen characters) and the remarkable animation.
Deep Canvas, a 3-D technology, was developed for the film,
creating a jungle that comes alive as Tarzan swings through the
trees, often looking like a modern skateboarder racing down giant
tree limbs. The usual foray of sidekicks, including a
rambunctious ape voiced by Rosie O'Donnell, should keep the
little ones aptly entertained. The two lead voices, Tony Goldwyn
as Tarzan and Minnie Driver as Jane, are inspired choices. Their
chemistry helps the story through the weakest points (the last
third) and makes Tarzan's initial connection with all things
human (including Jane) delicious entertainment. Disney still is
not taking risks in its animated films, but as cookie-cutter
entertainment, "Tarzan" makes a pretty good treat. (Ages 5 and
up) "--Doug Thomas"
.com
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After viewing Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Edgar
Rice Burroughs wrote to Walt Disney about adapting his novel of
an ape-man into a feature animated cartoon. Sixtysome years
later, the tale is finally told with brilliant design work that
looks unlike any previous animated film. The story is a natural
for Disney since the themes of misunderstood central figures have
been at the heart of its recent hits. Disney's Tarzan doesn't
wander far from the familiar story of a shipwrecked baby who is
brought up by apes in Africa. What gives the film its zing is its
clever use of music (the songs are sung by Phil Collins himself
rather than onscreen characters) and the remarkable animation.
Deep Canvas, a 3-D technology, was developed for the film,
creating a jungle that comes alive as Tarzan swings through the
trees, often looking like a modern skateboarder racing down giant
tree limbs. The usual foray of sidekicks, including a
rambunctious ape voiced by Rosie O'Donnell, should keep the
little ones aptly entertained. The two lead voices, Tony Goldwyn
as Tarzan and Minnie Driver as Jane, are inspired choices. Their
chemistry helps the story through the weakest points (the last
third) and makes Tarzan's initial connection with all things
human (including Jane) delicious entertainment. Disney still is
not taking risks in its animated films, but as cookie-cutter
entertainment, Tarzan makes a pretty good treat. (Ages 5 and up)
--Doug Thomas
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Set Contains:
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It's the dish--mistakes, unused footage, creative
differences, embarrassing behind-the-scene stories--that makes
collector's editions so much fun. Unfortunately, this goes
against the Disney philosophy of picture-perfection, and this
two-set disc shows it; only half of the new materials are
engaging. The other half of this second disc, the "Tarzan
Archives," is slickly produced filler--more publicity fluff than
deep in on the development of the film and the animation
process. Much better are the three abandoned scenes (with voices
and storyboards), including a much fiercer opening and ending,
plus dozens of sketches made over the years as the designers
pursued the luscious look of the film. The original audio demos
Phil Collins made for the film are also intriguing (mostly filled
with dummy or place-holding lyrics). The new audio commentary (by
the producer and two directors) is a "fireside chat" variety,
hardly worth more than one listen. Two side-by-side comparisons
of storyboards to final film are a great tool to show youngsters
how the animated process works, as is animator Glen Keane's talks
on animating Tarzan. Also for kids: a read-along book and trivia
game. --Doug Thomas
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